ScholarWorks@UMassAmherst
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Featured Items
Recent Submissions
Publication Reporter-Mediated Evaluation of the Circadian Oscillations of SNAIL Across In Vitro Models(University of Massahusetts Amherst, 2025)The protein SNAIL has been widely studied for its roles in promoting cancer invasion and resistance to apoptosis. There are multiple contributors to its expression, including self- and circadian regulation, and it has been posited that SNAIL oscillates in a circadian manner. Given the multiple factors involved, we sought to determine whether this is indeed the case. We developed a luciferase reporter that was used to demonstrate SNAIL’s rhythmic nature (SNAIL:luc) in the circadian model cell line, U2OS. Considering SNAIL’s relevance in breast cancer, we also assessed its oscillations in cellular models representing different levels of aggression. We incorporated the SNAIL:luc reporter in MCF10A breast epithelial cells, and MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, which are less and more aggressive, respectively. We found that SNAIL oscillations were present but weak in MCF7 and arrhythmic in MDA-MB-231 cells, correlating with those of core clock genes in these models. Surprisingly, MCF10A cells, whose core clock genes possess robust circadian expression patterns, did not have rhythmic oscillations of SNAIL. Our findings suggest that SNAIL is under circadian control and sets the stage for additional studies to better understand the impacts of various factors contributing to its expression.Publication Gateway National Recreation Area: Envisioning Gateway, A Public Competition(2007)The partnership of the Van Alen Institute, National Parks Conservation Association, and Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation invites designers worldwide to play a vital role in Gateway National Recreation Area’s future. They seek innovative, visionary, and compelling proposals that celebrate the park’s unique potential as both a significant regional resource and a national environmental treasure. Created in 1972, Gateway National Recreation Area (Gateway) stretches across 26,607 acres of the New York-New Jersey harbor and coast. In addition, the 1,358-acre Floyd Bennett Field site within the Jamaica Bay Unit of Gateway will receive closer investigation and project development.Publication Developing National Parks in Densely Populated Areas: Two Case Studies(1987)The traditional model of National Park development in the United States relied on federally owned public domain lands, leaving the original thirteen eastern states without significant federal parklands. In response, innovative strategies were developed in the mid-20th century to address this gap. The establishment of the Cape Cod National Seashore in 1961 marked a turning point, as it was the first National Park created through fee simple land purchases and allowed for the inclusion of private homes. This led to the creation of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission, which served as a collaborative mechanism between federal, state, and local entities, pioneering new approaches to zoning, land acquisition, and community engagement. These methods proved successful and were later adopted in the creation of other parks, such as the Lowell National Historical Park. Despite differing missions—preserving natural versus urban historic resources—both parks represent a shift in National Park Service policy to accommodate the unique challenges of non-public domain states through innovative and adaptive planning.Publication Managing The Oxbow(1986)The Oxbow is perhaps the most heavily used recreation area along the entire Connecticut River. Improvements in water quality and fisheries have significantly increased their appeal for recreational use. Combined with population growth in surrounding communities and increased leisure time, these changes have led to a surge in demand for water-based recreation. As a result, the Oxbow has become subject to growing conflicts and pressures, including incompatible uses, challenges in the enforcement of regulations, erosion, sedimentation, and inadequate facilities. The Connecticut Valley Action Program—operating under the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management—is tasked with addressing river-related issues along the Massachusetts stretch of the Connecticut River, including those affecting the Oxbow. However, other state and local agencies also play a role in managing the area, so the recommendations in this report are directed to specific managing entities. To help alleviate crowding and protect sensitive areas from boat wakes, the implementation of water zoning is recommended. Increased enforcement of boating regulations, boater education, and a boater licensing campaign are also advocated. Additionally, better information sharing—such as the posting of rules and notices on bulletin boards at strategic access points—is encouraged. Posting speed limit and "No Wake" signs is recommended to remind boaters that the Oxbow channel is not suitable for high-speed boating. Dredging should be discouraged for both environmental and economic reasons; however, shallow spots should be marked, and the main channel should be identified with navigational markers. Enhanced access for canoeists and other non-motorized boaters is encouraged, and additional controls on development in the surrounding area are needed to preserve the ecological and recreational integrity of the Oxbow.Publication Town of Belchertown: Capital Improvement Plan(1983)The purpose of this Capital Improvement Plan is to compile a comprehensive list of capital improvement requests for the Town of Belchertown and to analyze the Town’s ability to finance these proposed improvements. A capital improvement is defined as any major non-recurring expenditure for a public improvement that costs at least $20,000 and is either one-time in nature or has a life expectancy of at least five years. During the months in which various Town boards, commissions, and departments completed capital improvement request forms, this study focused on a historical analysis of Town revenues and expenditures between FY 1978 and FY 1982. This provided the background for making budgetary projections. The information was drawn from the annual Schedule A: Report of Financial Transactions and Town Reports provided by the Town Accountant. Projections of future revenues and operating expenditures suggest that the Town will remain in sound financial condition, with revenues significantly exceeding expenditures until 1987. However, by 1987, the impact of Proposition 2½ will begin to take effect, narrowing the gap between revenues and expenditures, and potentially eliminating it by 1988. This indicates the possibility of an overall budget deficit in 1988, even before allocating funds for capital improvements. The fiscal issues projected for FY 1987 and FY 1988 arise from increasing expenditures and slower revenue growth. Key cost drivers include inflation in materials, personnel growth, salary and wage increases, and rising energy costs. Departmental budgets could increase between 8% and 15% annually. In contrast, the property tax levy—the Town’s major revenue source—can increase by no more than 5% annually due to Proposition 2½ limitations, even when factoring in projected new housing growth. The breakdown of costs for the Town's share of all proposed projects during the six-year plan period (FY 1983 to FY 1988) is as follows: Total Town’s Share: $3,513,346 Property Tax Levy: $3,253,346 General Revenues: $160,000 Stabilization Fund: $100,000 The remainder of the funding may come from possible federal and state grants. In addition, $844,000 worth of proposed capital improvements between FY 1983 and FY 1988 are listed with Federal Revenue Sharing (FRS) as the potential funding source. However, the Town can no longer rely primarily on FRS funds. In FY 1983, FRS funding was cut by nearly 50% by the federal government. Even assuming an 8% annual increase from 1983 onward, the projected FRS funds for FY 1988 would total only $131,787—approximately $40,000 less than in FY 1982. The fiscal impact analysis conducted in this study indicates that the Town could afford its share of the proposed capital improvements until FY 1987 and FY 1988 if it allocates most of its projected annual surpluses toward capital projects instead of reducing the tax rate. According to this scenario, the Town would need to override Proposition 2½ limitations by approximately $387,000 in 1987 and $600,000 in 1988. For the average Belchertown homeowner in 1988, this could mean an additional $132.00 in property taxes for debt service on the new school, and about $20.00 more for projects such as the Hannum Street Interceptor or the wastewater treatment plant. Even if the Town approves all proposed capital improvements, the sources, amounts, and timing of funding may change significantly. Nevertheless, these projections serve as a warning: serious financial pressures may arise shortly, and addressing future fiscal priorities requires immediate attention.
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